Way before my husband and I started waiting for his visa to process we had decided which visa we wanted to apply for. There are two options to decide between, a K-1 Fiancé visa or a CR-1 Spouse Visa. Both have pros and cons, but in our situation, we decided the CR-1 Spouse Visa was the best option. 

With the K-1 Fiancé visa once you are approved and the individual moves to the United States you have 90 days to get married. Once you are married you need to file for an Adjustment of Status which can take a significant amount of time right now, I have heard as short as a few months to over a year. On average about 9 months. During this time the beneficiary is unable to travel internationally or work as you need to wait for the adjustment of status to apply for a travel and work permit. 

If you choose the CR-1 Spouse visa you need to get married first before applying. Once the visa is approved the beneficiary flies over to the United States. They get a temporary stamp that works as their Green Card and work permit before those are received in the mail. They will automatically get their Green Card, work permit, and social security card in the mail (once the Green Card fee is paid), those should arrive within four months. The beneficiary is immediately able to work and travel outside of the US if needed with their temporary Green Card stamp.

The K-1 Fiancé visa

Pros:

• It can process faster

Cons:

• You have to apply for the Social Security card once you arrive in the US
• You cannot travel outside of the US until you apply for the Adjustment of Status and apply for a Travel Permit
• You cannot work until you apply for the Adjustment of Status and apply for a Work Permit
• The work and travel permits are no longer free to file
• Is more expensive (approx. $3,000 +)
• Is more likely to get denied
• You are unable to dispute if the visa is denied

The CR-1 Spouse visa

Pros:

• Is less expensive
• The Green Card is automatically included 
• The Social Security card is automatically included
• You can immediately travel overseas (you get a temporary Green Card stamp in your passport that is good for 1 year)
• You can immediately start working using the temporary stamp
• Is less expensive (approx. $1,800)
• Is more likely to be approved
• You can dispute if the visa is denied

Cons:

• It is processing slower

Once I understood the pros and cons of each and spoke with my husband we decided the CR-1 Spouse visa was what we wanted to apply for. As much as we want to be together as quickly as possible, the benefits of the spouse visa outweighed that want. Although, at this moment while I am still waiting and unsure when I might see him again, there are times I wish we went the potentially faster route. But I know in the end when we are together we will be glad we went the way we did as it will be cheaper and he will have more benefits right away.